How Did We Get The Bible?

A Very Brief Summary

Here we will deal with a brief and simplified summary of how we got the Bible. More details will be presented later. The first part of the Bible was passed down from generation to generation orally. The first known writings of the Bible were recorded by Moses in Paleo Hebrew script about 1405 B.C. These texts, written over 3000 years ago are known as the "Pentateuch" or "five books of Moses." Moses was a prophet or representative of the God sent to teach and record God's relationship with man from the beginning of this world as we know it.

The remaining books of the Old Testament or the "Torah" to the Jewish people, were written primarily in ancient Hebrew with portions in early Aramaic by various authors from about 1400 to 400 BC. "Torah" means "instruction" or "law." The Old Testament, Torah, or Hebrew Bible is often described in three main sections: Law, Prophets, and Writings, (which include great poetry and collections of wisdom). The early writings were preserved in the libraries of Babylon. Babylon is an ancient city still existing today 94 Km, (59 miles) southwest of Baghdad, Iraq. Babylon at one time was the most powerful city in the world, conquering and controlling civilizations of the time. They conquered Israel and added their scrolls and knowledge to the Babylonian libraries around 586 B.C. Jerusalem and the temple of God was destroyed at that time because the people rebelled against God's ways. Later, when the temple was rebuilt and people of Israel released, Ezra the priest lead a project to restore Jerusalem, the temple of God, gather the writings of the Torah, and restore the minds and hearts of God's people to once again know and serve the real God. Since that time copies of this collection of scrolls can be found throughout the world in ancient to modern libraries.

The New Testament writings were written during and shortly after the time of Jesus over a span of 50-75 years. They were written and critiqued primarily while witnesses to those events were still alive. Languages used to write New Testament texts included older Greek and Aramaic. Most of the authors of the New Testament texts knew Jesus face to face including Jesus brother, and many of His "disciples" (students/followers), and "apostles" (earliest Christian church leaders). The Bible is the only book in existence that can prove hundreds of detailed prophecies were written before they happened and fulfilled in history. Prophetic writings like the book of Revelation(s), include details of the future, the end of the world as we know it and it's re-creation into a new world. These writings are confirmed to us by many sources: from letters to the early churches, testimonies of people who were there, from students of Jesus, quotations in the writings of kings, ancient libraries from the Greek and Roman empires, historians from Jesus time until now, many historical records outside of Christian sources, scientific, and archaeological discoveries. Determining which writings were verified as truly God's teachings to be included in the New Testament of the Bible happened from 200 to 400. A.D./C.E. These are the books accepted today as the New Testament. Why they were included? Who wrote them? What do they mean? The answers to these and other questions will be found as you explore the Bible and our Bible Basics Everyone Should Know. This adventure will take you on a life-long journey leading you to deeper understanding from your inner soul to learn control of your mind, body, and life around you. The myth that believing in the Bible is for weak people, is a broken delusion of those truly too weak to face the responsibilities that come with knowing our Creator; what is right or wrong; and who we are and should become. It takes great strength to challenge what you want to believe. Great inner strength is needed to question beliefs you blindly, brainlessly, chose to believe coming from those you follow around you. Seeking real truth is not the common path and does not lie to you; this path is for everyone who desires it; both for the strong to become stronger and for the weak to become strong. Paths of deceit begin by deceiving you into believing the popular path is the easy path and popularity makes beliefs and actions right. Think only a few seconds and you can recall many times in history and within your own life where the group was wrong and not easy.

The order of the books in the Bible have changed over time so it is not written in chronological order like most modern books. The division into chapters and verses was a fairly modern change to make it easier to find and refer to different parts of the Bible. Why these writings were included in the Bible and others were not, is another topic we will explore.